A Stretchable Pressure and Strain Sensor Using Conductive Silk Hydrogels

Abstract

We report a set of flexible and stretchable sensors using conductive silk hydrogels for wearable applications. Benefiting from its superior flexibility, the conductive silk hydrogel, doped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for desired conductivity, shows excellent flexibility with elastic modulus of ∼2-80 kPa, high stretchability up to 100% strain, good robustness and resilience. The conductive silk hydrogels can be used as both pressure and strain sensors showing characteristic responses to various simple and complex motions such as compression, tension and bending alone or in different combinations. As proof-of-concept, we demonstrated the use of these devices for real-time monitoring sporting motions of finger joints. Our approach offers potential opportunities wearable individual-centered health monitoring.